Today's gospel: Looking up like Jesus. Coming down like Zacchaeus, to love and serve the Lord.

 

Please scroll down for notices, including of Advent and Christmas events services.


Please note that the paper Dove-making workshop in Christ Church Castlebar is on Sat 29 November from 12.30 - 2.30pm.

 



Tree of Zacchaeus 
Jericho, West Bank 
Photo by Yywilk - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=69071735



Today's gospel     Luke 19: 1-10

He [Jeusus] entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way.  

When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.”  

Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”


Comment

Zacchaeus responded to Jesus' call and invitation to a new friendship. Jesus invited himself to Zacchaeus's house, an irregular thing to do in middle-eastern culture. Zacchaeus seems to have seen the opportunity to turn his life around for good, and wisely and joyfully took it. This was a conversion of heart and life, evidenced in the change, we could say, from a focus on taking and getting to reparation and giving. We sense the joy that has entered Zacchaeus' life and being with his encounter with Jesus. 


Scared Space

You can find a gentle prayer guide and devotion here:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-11-18 


Notices

All are invited and welcome.


  • Ecumenical Prayer Service for those Bereaved by Suicide, Friday 21 November , 7.30pm in Holy Rosary Church, Castlebar
  • Sat 29 November, from 12.30, in Christ Church, Castlebar. Dove-making workshop for all.



  • Everyday in Advent - Castlebar. Everyday in Advent Christ Church Castlebar will be open from 7.00 - 8,30 am for private prayer and reflection, a meditative space.  You can drop in at any time. For more information, contact Kenn McLaughlin - number on request.
  • The First Sunday in Advent 2025 is 30 November.


Events in December

Friday 5 December, 8pm in St Mary’s Church, Westport
Christmas Concert with the Roscommon Solstice Choir and guests Westport Children’s Choir. A fundraising event for Holy Trinity Church repairs. Donations at the door. Please spread the word and plan to come along!




  • Sat 6 December, 7.30pm, Christmas Concert with Bella Capella in Christ Church Castlebar. Charity fundraiser, details on Bella Capella Facebook page. (See https://www.facebook.com/reel/712336474483871 .)



'Crib Services':
  • Saturday 6 Dec, 7pm, Crib Service (All-age Nativity) in Turlough Church.  Children are invited to come along in simple nativity costume (-tea towel headdresses, dressing gown robes, tinsel halos, angel wings, etc.) and to bring their soft toy animals if they would like to. 
  • Sunday 7 Dec, 10am, Crib Service (All-age Nativity) in Christ Church Castlebar.  Children are invited to come along in simple nativity costume (-tea towel headdresses, dressing gown robes, tinsel halos, angel wings, etc.) and to bring their soft toy animals if they would like to. 


  • Westport (pre-) Christmas Sunday Club: Sunday 7 December, starting at 12 noon in the Holy Trinity service in St Mary's (unless otherwise indicated), and moving to Carrowbeg House for Bible story, music, snacks and activities.
  • Monday 15 December at 7.30pm, Castlebar Community Carol Service (traditional 'Nine Lessons & Carols'), in Christ Church, Castlebar, with Holy Rosary Choir and Castlebar Community Silver Band.
  • Sunday 21 Dec, 11.30am, 'Crib Service' (All-age Nativity) in Holy Trinity Westport (subject to change). 
  • Chapel Street Gospel Choir concerts, Sunday 21 December, at 5pm and 8pm, in Christ Church, Castlebar. Info., Roslyn Potter, Turlough (number on request).


Nine Lessons and Carols
Traditional Carol Services

  • Turlough - Sat 13 Dec 7pm   
  • Achill - Sun 14 Dec, 3pm
  • Castlebar (‘Community Carol Service’) - Mon 15 Dec, 7.30pm, with Holy Rosary Choir and Castlebar Community Band
  • Westport - St Mary's-and-Holy-Trinity-Together - A Shared Celebration - Sunday 21 December, 5pm, in St Mary's Church. 


Christmas Communion Services
'The First Communion of Christmas'
(Subject to change)


St Thomas's, Dugort: Christmas Eve at 12 noon

Turlough Church: Christmas Eve at 6.30pm

Christ Church, Castlebar: Christmas Day at 9am
                    
Holy Trinity Church, Westport: Christmas Day at 11am





Regular Service Pattern 

in the Aughaval Parishes

(subject to change)


Turlough

Saturdays Weekly at 7pm:  

Holy Communion on 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.

Evening Prayer on 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month.

 

Castlebar 

Sundays Weekly at 10am: 

Holy Communion on 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.

Morning Prayer on 2nd and 4th.

Open church every Friday from 11am - 1pm.


*Christ Church Castlebar is a registered charity: Registered Charity No.  20206867

 

Westport

Sundays Weekly at 12 noon, Holy Communion or (occasionally) Morning Prayer

Wednesdays at 10.30am. Holy Communion, followed by coffee

Services are in St Mary's RC Church, South Mall, Westport, while Holy Trinity Church is closed for safety repairs.

 

Dugort, Achill: October - April inclusive

2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 3pm. Evening Prayer/ Holy Communion


Inishbiggle

As announced


Online Prayer and Bible Reading every Wed at 8pm, via Zoom. 
Link:



Pastoral care and enquiries:  


Revd Suzanne Cousins 

Aughaval Group of Parishes, 

United Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe, Church of Ireland 

Tel. 083 800 3233   

Email aughaval@tuam.anglican.org
Aughaval Parishes' Website  aughaval.tlk.ie

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AughavalParishes 


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